Music School “Hero”

I was first introduced to it by my little brother and sister. They would spend hours playing and trying to beat each other’s records, but I just dismissed it as a silly game. But then, I kept encountering the game at parties filled with “adults.” One slow day in the newsroom, I came face to face with it and was forced to confront my fear of playing. After a quick lesson by a Guitar Hero pro, I was off to try and make it through an entire song.

At first glance, Guitar Hero might seem like a silly game… but once I let go of my fears, put the guitar on, and tried to play (and failed miserably), I realized the fun I was missing out on! Even though I was booed before “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” was even over… I played it over and over again, until I was allowed to play through the entire song.

Guitar Hero, Rock Band… all those video games are introducing a new generation to rock music. Kids who would’ve never thought to ask for music lessons, are now signing up for lessons on a real, non-color coded guitar.

Tonight at 7- Joel Connable (who loves to play the game) will show us how Guitar Hero is having an unexpected effect on music schools. He’ll talk to music teachers who welcome the game, and say it’s been bringing in more business.

As we were setting up the game in the newsroom in preparation for the story… a few of us got to try it out. Check it out.

It promises to be a fun night… so make sure to tune in.

See you at 7pm!

1.20.09 Watching History

What a day.

I can’t even begin to describe this from the newsroom, so I’ll let our people in D.C. do all the talking and blogging.

Nick Bogert is in D.C. reporting for us…. and Tisha Lewis is taking a personal trip with her mom and documenting for us as well.

I hope you had a chance to watch the Inaugural activities live… and join us tonight at 7pm for a complete wrap!

Gator (and Sooner) Nation in South Florida

It’s so close, I can smell it. 

Just a little more than 24 hours until college football’s Super Bowl, and I’m sitting in the newsroom rocking a Gator shirt.  It gets people talking, and it also gets people to roll their eyes at me.  Either way, I love it.  There’s just something about college football that you don’t find anywhere else.  I built the best part of my college life in the dorms right next door to the stadium nicknamed The Swamp.  I spent my college years walking through the stadium to get to my journalism classes across the street.  I walked into the old dorms inside the home of the Gators to pick up my TV equipment for class projects.  I walked out the front door of my dorm to find tailgators of all ages, all before noon.  The Swamp was as much a staple of my daily life as a bowl of cereal was.  I could hear the band practicing from my window, I could hear the roars of the crowd from my bedroom.  I lined up for hours outside in much-too-cold-weather when I didn’t have season tickets, I sat so far up that I was closer to the blimp than I was to the field, and I sat so close that I had pictures with Albert the Alligator on the sidelines.  The University of Florida, Gainesville, and The Swamp were all my home.  You can’t match that with an NFL team.

Although the orange and blue is where my loyalties lie, no need to worry Sooners fans, you won’t see my true colors on the air.  Can’t say the same for Game Day, which is why I won’t be working.  

It’s hard not to feel the enthusiasm, even if you don’t have an allegiance to either team.   Instead of walking by the Swamp, I now drive by Dolphin stadium on my way to work every morning, and from the highway have witnessed the transformation for the BCS title game.  I will admit, it’s a bit distracting, but tomorrow it will all come full circle. 

But I’m not going on and on about the Gators just because I have this platform (well maybe that’s a small reason why)… but tonight, you’re going to get your dose of college football fans.  Sooners and Gators will be descending on Bicentennial Park tonight for Fan Fest… a concert, marching bands, cheerleaders, and just plain celebrations.  Think of it as a huge pep rally the night before the game.  Adam Kuperstein and Amara Sohn will be out there for all the festivities.

Also tonight, the very vocal Joe Rose will be giving us his take on Tim Tebow.  The revered Gator quarterback has a love-to-hate-him club, as well as a very devoted following.  Joe will give us his take on the QB.

Hope to see you tonight at 7pm…

(and maybe tomorrow I’ll see you at Dolphin Stadium!)

Gator In A Hurricane

I’m a Gator fan.  In Miami.  There, I said it. 

I wear my orange and blue with pride in a city (and a newsroom) that is all about “the U.”  But this week, it’s all about Gator fans (yeah, yeah, and Sooner fans).  Just about 2 years ago on our website nbc6.net, I documented my first national championship “experience”… but this week, I get to watch my team, in my city, from “How’d you get those?!” kind of seats.

It doesn’t get any better than this for the thousands of UF alumni that call South Florida home (well actually, I know what would make it even better!)

Both teams arrived in SFL last Friday.  While the teams have been mentally and physically preparing for what could be the biggest day in their football careers… football fans (like me) have been finalizing tailgate details, designing signs, and coordinating meeting up with friends from all over the country who will be at the game.

Tonight you’ll get to hear from the players and the coaches as part of  ‘BCS Media Day.’

Plus it’s the first full week after the holidays (well, for those people not taking time off for the game! ha)… so you’ll see all your familiar faces again on the set.  Jackie, Paul and Joel are all back.

Join us tonight at 7pm!